Electric fence



April 30, 1940- J. E. VAUGHAN 2,199,058

ELECTRIC FENCE Filed Oct- 30, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l 7' FIG I. i

50 49 FIG 2 3.3M. Hu :1 1;

54 5s 44 K INVENTOR JOHN E. VAUGHAN :'Q Q' |4 ATTORNEYS April 30, 1940. VAUGHAN 2,199,058

ELECTRIC FENCE Filed Oct. 30, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4.

ll mum! INVENTOR JOHN E. VAUGHAN ATTORNEYS -Patented Apr. 30, 1940 PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC FENCE John E. Vaughan, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to The Prime Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application October so, 1937, Serial No. 171,966

7 Claims.

sures, and more particularly to an appliance for use in connection with electric wire fences, which fences can be of the general type shown in Patent No. 1,976,721, issued October 16, 1934, to

Edwin J. Gengler.

In electric wire fences an enclosure wire is provided for the animals,.and a circuit through the wire is closed when the wire is grounded by any means, such as an animal. A controller is provided for periodically charging the wire, so that if the wire is grounded by an animal, such animal will have a chance to back off from the wire 25 dead tree limb falling against the wire, thesweeping of a tree branch back and forth against the wire, and the like.

One of the primary objects of my invention is to provide a device which can be either built in so the controller as a unit, or supplied to the trade as an independent accessory, and which will function to effectively cut off the supply of current, should the fence wire be grounded for a predetermined length of time. 35 Another salient object of my invention is to provide means for automatically cutting off the supply of .current to the fence wire after a predetermined lapse of time, should the wire be con tinuously grounded or intermittently grounded 40 by a tree branch or the like sweeping across the wire.

A further important object of my invention is to provide means operated by the cut-off device for giving a visual signal for indicating the operation thereof, whereby persons can instantly determine the exact condition of the fence and locate and remedy any unusual condition therein. g

A still further object of my invention is to provide means in the unitfor operating the cut-off mechanism and the visual signal, which is of such a character that the same can be actuated with the expenditure of a minimum amount of current, whereby the same can be This invention appertains to animal enclo-' efiectivelyused in circuitscarrying a very light current.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and formation of parts, as will be 5 hereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings; in which drawings:

Figure 1- is a vertical sectional view through the cut-off and detector unit. 10

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, transverse sectional view through the unit illustrating the operating mechanism for the switch and signal, the view being taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. 16

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating the motor or actuating device for the switch and signaloperating mechanism.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing a portion of the actuating motor.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the detector and cut-off mechanism incorporated in a wire fence circuit.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corre-v sponding-parts throughout the several views, the letter C generally indicates my novel cut-off and detector mechanism, which is adapted to be particularly used in connection with a wire fence F and a control and charging mechanism M therefor.

The fence F can consist of one or more strands of wire placed around'a desired pasture or the like, and the same is intermittently charged by the control mechanism M, which will now be described. 1 40 The control mechanism M is generally housed within a single casing for the sake of convenience, and my novel unit C can likewise be built in this casing or supplied to the trade as an independent accessory to be incorporated with the controller and fence circuit. Referring to the controller M, the same can be of any preferred construction and arrangement of parts, and forms no part of my present invention, and only one type of the same has been shown to illustrate my invention.

As illustrated, the controller M includes a primary circuit l0 and a secondary circuit 30 of which the fence wire F forms a part. Means is provided for interrupting the primary circuit wire will be intermittently charged.

The primary circuit l9 includes a source of electrical energy II, which may be considered in the present instance to be an electric battery. Electrically connected to the opposite terminals of the battery are feed and return wires l2 and I3. The wire |2 has incorporated in the length thereof at the desired point a circuit maker and breaker I4, which forms a part of my cut-ofi and detector unit C, as will be later described. The wire |2 leads to the primary winding I5 of a transformer l5, and the secondary winding H of the transformer forms a part of the shock or secondary circuit.

Leading from the primary coil I5 is a conductor wire l8, and this wire I8 is connected to one terminal of an interrupter Hi. The other terminal of the interrupter has attached thereto a conductor wire 20. An electro-magnet 2| is adapted to attract an armature 22, which is utilized for actuating a cam wheel 23 for the interrupter l3.

This cam wheel 23 is provided with a raised lobe 24, which is adapted to raise one of the con-- tact points of the interrupter l9 to close the circuit through the primary coil-of the transformer. The cam wheel 23 is provided with a hair spring 25, which normally'tends to rotate the cam wheel in one direction and in. a direction opposite to the thrust .of the armature 22.

The armature 22 forms a part of an electric circuit and is adapted to engage a contact on the cam wheel, which contact is electrically con nected with the hair spring 25, which is in turn connected to a conductor wire 25, which leads from the battery wire I2. The conductor wire 28. is electrically connected to the battery wire l3, through wire 28 and a manually operated switch 21, so that the circuit can be manually opened and closed. The electro-magnet 2| is connected on one side to the armature 22, and on the other side to the connection between wires and 28.

As stated, the fence wire F forms a part of the shock or secondary circuit, and the wire 30 is connected to one terminal of the secondary coil ll of the transformer I5, and the opposite terminal of the secondary coil has connected thereto a conductor wire 3|, which is grounded in any suitable manner, as at 32.

Briefly, the operation of the primary and secondary circuits is as follows-current flow in the primary circuit takes place from the battery through wire l2, through primary coil |5 of the transformer l5, through wire |8, through the interrupter l9, through wire 20, through wire 28, through the switch 21, back to the battery, through wire |3. This will induce a current in the secondary coil l1, and if the fence wire F is grounded, the circuit will be completed through wire 30, through the fence wire to the ground, to wire 3|, back through the secondary coil.

The current is interrupted in the primary circuit by the cam wheel 23, and if the cam wheel is in the position shown in Figure 5, the electromagnet 2| will be energized by current flow from wire l2, through wire 25, through the hair spring 25, through armature 22, through electro-magnet 2|, through wire 28, back to the battery, through wire l3. This will attract the armature 22, and downward movement of the armature will impart a quick thrust to the cam wheel 23 against the tension of the hair spring 25.

When the lobe 24 of the cam wheel raises the at predetermined intervals, so that the fencecontact of interrupter I9, the circuit will be closed through the primary coil l5. As the contact of the cam wheel leaves the armature 22, the circuit is broken through the electro-magnet 2|, and as the cam wheel rotates, energy will be stored up in the hair spring 25, which will return the cam wheel to its normal position into engagement with the armature 22 for again completing the circuit through the electro-magnet.

My novel cut-out and detector unit C comprises a suitable base plate 35, on which is mounted the actuating device or motor and the operating mechanism 31 for the switch l4 and the visual signal 38.

The actuating device or motor 36 takes the formof an operating unit employed for actuating the diaphragms of loud speakers of radio The operating mechanism 31 includes a main operating shaft 45, which is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 41 carried by a supporting bracket 48. Rotatably mounted upon the shaft 45, intermediate its ends, is a swinging ratchet arm 49, The upper end of the arm has attached thereto a resilient dog 5|) for engaging the teeth of a ratchet wheel 5| rigidly secured to the shaft 45. A resilient dog 52 carried by the base plate engages the ratchet wheel 5| at a point spaced from the dog 50, so as to prevent retrograde movement of the ratchet wheel. The lower end of the ratchet arm 49 below the operating shaft has connected thereto the operating rod 44 of the actuating or motor unit 35.

In the present instance, the shaft 45 has secured thereto a pinion 53, and a. sliding rack bar 54 is employed for engaging this pinion. The rack bar is slidably supported within suitable guides 55 carried by the base plate, and a leaf spring 56 is employed for normally urging the rack bar toward the pinion 53.

The lower end of the rack bar is beveled, as at 51, and when the rack bar is in its lowered position, the same is adapted to engage the resilient contact arm 58 of the switch l4, and to normally urge the arm into contact with the other contact arm 59 of said switch. When the rack-bar rides past the switch arm 58, the same moves away from the contact arm 59, due to the inherent resiliency of said arm 58. The upper end of the rack bar carries the visual signal 38, which in the present instance can be in the nature of a flag. The flag can be painted in' any preferred manner and can carry any suitable words of warning. An operating handle 50 is carried by the signal, so that the rack bar 54 can be manually operated.

When my device is to be manufactured as an accessory for the fence, a suitable housing 5| can be employed for connection with the base plateg35, so that the various parts of the accessory will be covered. The top Wall of the housing 5| can be provided with a slot 62, through which the sig nal flag 38 is adapted to ride when the fence is short circuited.

As stated, the switch 14 of my appliance is 1n-v corporated in the length of the battery wire l2, and the electro-magnet 42 of the actuating unit or motor 36 is incorporated in the length of the wire 30. circuited, current will flow through the electromagnet 42, so as to cause the operation of the armature 43. Obviously, the actuating unit or motor 36 is of such a character that little or no current will be needed to operate the same.

In use oi my appliance, the handle is pushed downwardly, so that the rack bar 54 will be in a lowered position for moving the contact arm 58 into engagement with the contact arm 59. The primary circuit is then in normal operating condition.

If the fence wire is grounded, the primary circuit,and the secondary circuit will be energized,

as heretofore described, and the actuating unit or motor 36 will be set in operation. .This will reciprocate the rod 44, which in turn will cause the rotation of the ratchet wheel 5|. The rotation of the ratchet wheel will turn the pinion 53 and gradually raise the rack bar 54'. When the lower end of the rack bar rides past the switch arm 58, the switch arm will move away from the arm 59, and thus open the primary circuit. The rack bar 54 can be made the desired length, so

that the primary circuit will not be opened for a predetermined length of-time. As the rack bar gradually raises, the flag 38 will be brought into view of an observer, and thus persons looking at the appliance can tell whether or not the ience is short circuited or grounded.

Obviously, I do not wish to limit myself to the specific form of visual signal or switch-operating mechanism, as the same can take many different forms.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that I have provided a simple and effective mechanism for opening the circuit to an electric fence wire, should the fence wire become brokenv or otherwise inadvertently grounded.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of my invention, but what I claim as new is:

1. An enclosure of ,the character described including, a conductor disposed for engagement by an animal within the enclosure, a primary circuit, a circuit closer in the primary circuit for periodically opening and closing said circuit, and an open shock circuit including said conductor energized from the primary circuit and adapted to shock an animal when the animal grounds the conductor, and means for holding said primary circuit open after the shock circuit has been grounded a predetermined length of time.

2. An enclosure of the character described including, a conductor disposed for engagement by an animal within the enclosure, a primary circuit, a circuit closer in the primary circuit for periodically closing said circuit, an open shock circuit Thus, when the fence wire is short I including said conductor energized the primary circuit and adapted to shock an animal when the conductor is grounded by the animal,

and means for automatically opening the primary circuit after the shock circuit has been grounded a predetermined length of time. 3. An enclosure of the character described including a conductor disposed for engagement by an animal within the enclosure and adapted to be grounded by an animal coming in contact therewith, means for supplying current to said conductor, and means for automatically interrupting the flow of current to the conductor when the same is grounded for a predetermined length of time. I i

4. An enclosure of the character described including, a conductor disposed for engagement by an animal within the enclosure and adapted to be grounded by an animal coming in contact therewitlnmeans for energizing said conductor, and means for interrupting the energizing of the conductor after the same has been grounded a predetermined length 01 time, having a visual indicator to inform persons of the operation of said last named means.

5. An electric wire fence comprising, a conductor wire disposed for engagement by an ani-' mal, a primary circuit, an open shock circuit including said wire energized from the primary circuit and adapted to shock an animal when an animal grounds the wire, and. an automatic cutout and detector unit for opening the primary circuit when the conductor wire has been grounded a predetermined length of time from any cause, including a switch in said primary circuit, and means operated from current flow in the shock circuit for opening saidswitch.

6. An electric wire fence. comprising, a conductor wire disposed for engagement by an ani mal, aprimary circuit, an open shock circuit including said wire energized from the primary circuit and adapted to shock an animal when the animal gounds the wire, and an automatic cutout and detector unit for opening the primary circuit when-the conductor wire has been grounded a predetermined length of time, including a switch in said primary circuit, and means operated from current flow in the shock circuit for opening said switch and operating a visual signal.

7. In an electric wire fence including, a conductor disposed for engagement by an animal, a primary circuit, an open shock circuit includin said conductor energized from the primary circult, and an automatic cut-out and detector unit for opening the primary circuit when the shock circuit has been grounded a predetermined length of time, including a motor unit interposed in the shock circuit, a; switch mechanism interposed in the primary circuit and operating mechanism between the motor unit and the switch.

JOHN E. VAUGHAN. 

